Classic, elegant, sophisticated and appropriate for all of life's events.

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Same Idea, Different Price Tag

Here is another example of creating a similar look, but with very different price points. Both looks are elegant, professional and certainly appropriate for the work environment.

I don’t know about you, but just by looking, I wouldn’t be able to tell that one look costs much more than the other. What are your thoughts?

Thoughts

My company has has a RIF (reduction-in-force) this week. It has been pretty shocking and very sad. The ones of us who remain are asked to pick up the pieces and get the work done, with less people. Some of us were given additional responsibilities. If you have been in a similar situation, let me tell you that the best way to handle it is to “accept” and move forward. Don’t complain, don’t stop working, just say to yourself, “It is what it is,” and I will continue to do my very best -the quality of my work is not dependent on outside sources.

Two Price Points

Let’s face it, the amount of money a teacher can spend on clothes is less than what an executive has available to spend. Therefore, the items these two women purchase will most likely be very different.

However, just because the pieces of clothing will be different, it doesn’t mean that the overall “look” has to be significantly different, right?

Shown above is a very similar look, but with a very different overall price tag.

Where to Wear?

Let’s just keep it simple, today. Wear these looks to work.

Investment Pieces

Pants, shoes, purses, watches, and pearl earings. I can see you wearing these pieces over and over again. Can’t you?

Thoughts

It’s Monday morning. However, that is perfectly fine with you because you are ready for the week. This past weekend, you did laundry, you chose your outfits for this week, you planned your lunches and dinners, and you got that manicure and pedicure that has been on your to-do-list for three weeks. (Wow, that’s so weird, that’s been on my list, too).

A bit too ambitious? Well, let’s say that you only did one of these things. That’s alright, because every little bit helps.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to prepare for the week ahead. It does not really matter whether you are an executive at a large corporation or an elementary school teacher. Preparation is equally important to all of us.

Let’s take on this week and show it what we are made of…determination, courage, excellence, and perseverance. Yes, you are made of all those things, plus more!!

Ugly Shoes

Do you wear “ugly” shoes? I put the word ugly in quotation marks because it is so subjective. My ugly, may be your beautiful. And my beautiful, may be your ugly. You get it.

To me, because I happen to dress more elegantly, anything big, clunky, and manly looking can be ugly. To my sixteen-year-old daughter, Kate, anything with a pointy toe (which is pretty much all I wear) is ugly. (You can be sure that I don’t ask her if she likes my shoes).

Where to Wear?

The outfit above is fun. Wear it to brunch, on a date, out with friends, to a very fashionable, creative office, shopping, sight-seeing. If you change out the shoes and throw on some pretty sandals or pumps, you may be able to wear this look to a shower, a wedding, cocktail party, in other words, a more formal occasion.

Investment Pieces

All of the jewelry would be investment pieces. The purse is pretty conservative and may be something you wear for a few years. The midi skirt and crop top are pretty trendy, so maybe not for them. The jacket would be an investment piece, assuming this mustard color works well with the rest of your wardrobe. Those ugly shoes – well, you know how I feel about those, right?

Thoughts

Have you had those weeks at work where every thing seemed off? Where “you” seemed off? That’s the type of week I have had. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but knew that something wasn’t “right”.

I am a “highly sensitive person” or, HSP, and because of that I am learning to trust my intuition and feelings more and more. In fact, I am trying to rely on this intuition more in learning the truth, than I rely on the meaning of the words spoken.

Are you an HSP? Do you know what that is? Check out Dr. Elaine Aron’s website and her book The Highly Sensitive Person. She will tell you all about it. She’s the expert on HSP’s.

See…when you come to my blog, not only do you dress cute, but you also learn so much about the inner workings of your mind. I am proud of you for putting equal energy on fashion and learning about your mind. I always knew you were bright!!!

Hoodies

What’s not to love about hoodies. They are soft, warm and comfortable. And this season, it looks like we can pretty much throw one on over whatever we are wearing and look “fashionable”. To that I say…heck, yes.

Where to Wear?

If you throw on a hoodie over a skirt, as shown above, then wear it wherever you’d like. Well, almost wherever. I probably would not wear a hoodie to work, church, a wedding, or any other formal occasion. But, for all your casual events, why not?

Investment Pieces

That skirt is so cute, I am adding it in the investment pieces. The shoes, watch, and of course that gorgeous umbrella. (yes, umbrellas can be gorgeous and an investment piece).

Thoughts

It’s Friday. You made it through the week. Good for you. I have to ask, did you pick out your outfits for the week? If so, how did it work out for you?

This weekend, if it is cool where you live, throw on that hoodie, lay back, and relax. You deserve it. You’ve worked hard this week. I am proud of you and your amazing work ethic. Nice job, my friends.

Camel Coat

Yes, we all need one. No…we do. Let’s just accept this as fact and get one. One less decision to make, right?

Where to Wear?

Certainly wear this to work, wear it to dinner, church, cocktail party, drinks after work, etc. This is one of those outfits that is appropriate for most occasions that come your way.

Investment Pieces

Let’s just say all of these pieces are an investment. That will just make things easier. And on this post, we are all about easy.

Thoughts

Remember how we discussed the cost of certain pieces in my sets? You don’t. Well, that is certainly OK. Let’s discuss it again, then.

I choose pieces that will be most flattering in the creation of the set. Some of these pieces, like the VB dress shown, are quite expensive. I am not suggesting that you go and buy these expensive pieces (although if your budget allows, then by all means, go for it), I am recommending the “look” that the pieces are showing.

You can create most of my looks by purchasing all of the pieces at Forever 21, let’s say, and spend less than $100 on the entire outfit – including the purses. (But probably not including the jewelry – sorry for that).

So, purchase your clothes wisely. If you like the look that is presented in the sets I show you, then by all means, imitate it, but do so while staying within your budget. Yes, you do have a budget – we all do. We shall discuss that at a later date. 🙂 You are wise consumers! Way to go!

Belle Sleeves

Belle sleeves are so feminine, don’t you think? I know they are having their moment right now – as they should (we won’t take that moment away from them, will we?), but belle sleeves have been around forever. I like them, but have you noticed how they get in the way at work, typing away on your keyboard all day?

Where to Wear?

This outfit is so versatile, it can be worn most anywhere. Change out the sandals for pumps and wear this dress to work or church. Wear this look on a date, to a ballet, concert, wear it to dinner or to a party. I can even see wearing this to a wedding. Why not, right?

Investment Pieces

These style of sandals have been around for a few years, now, and nude is so versatile. The bag, watch necklace and earings are all terrific investment pieces.

Thoughts

It is Monday…the start to another week of work. (Assuming your work week is the traditional Monday – Friday sort). So tell me…are you ready for today, this week? Did you do everything this past weekend to prepare for the week? If not, why not? I know these are annoying questions for a Monday, but I must ask them.

Did you at least choose your outfits for the week? If you have not, then when you get home from work this evening, at least do that. Seriously, you will be surprised at how this tiny little activity will help you. I encourage you to try it – why not? What do you have to lose?

Over-the-Knee-Boots

Who doesn’t want a pair of these lovelies this season? It looks like these beauties will be on again this fall and winter. Black, taupe, camel – any of these colors would work beautifully with most outfits.

Where to Wear

Unless your office is quite chic, casual and creative, and wearing the latest trends is encouraged, then I would refrain from wearing over-the-knee-boots to the office. Wear these boots to most social occasions. The outfit above can be worn on a date, out with friends, to the movies, maybe a concert.

Investments

The coat, purse, watch and earings all fall in my investment bucket. You could argue (which you really shouldn’t, because arguing is so not fun), that the boots can be an investment, and I may have to agree with you. Maybe not a long-term investment, but certainly a short-term one.

Thoughts

Y’all, by now, know that I am a women of a certain age. Having said that, I don’t think that I will be investing in a pair of over-the-knee-boots. As much as I love the look, I do feel like this is one of those items that is best suited for younger ladies. What are your thoughts?